Stop Forcing Your Plan: How to Let God Lead Your Life and Decisions

Are you leaning on your own understanding, or are you truly letting God lead? Sometimes we map out every step, decide exactly how something should happen, and then ask God to bless what we already chose. But following God looks different. In this episode, I share what I have been learning about surrendering my own timeline, recognizing God's direction, and paying attention when He begins bringing seemingly unrelated pieces together.   I share how my first book, Journeying with Jesus, came together in a matter of weeks after an idea clicked while walking my baby to sleep. When I tried to force a second project, life became full, time disappeared, and the work stalled. It was only when I surrendered the pressure that something new and beautiful unfolded: Journeying with Jesus | Little Hearts, a children's project featuring a sweet little lamb named Luz. This conversation offers sweet Christian encouragement for every woman of faith seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God without forcing outcomes.   In this episode, we discuss: How to recognize when you are forcing your own plan instead of trusting God Why surrendering your timeline often comes right before receiving clarity How hearing God's voice helps you take the next step without knowing the full outcome Recognizing unexpected confirmations and divine appointments along the way How Journeying with Jesus | Little Hearts and Little Lamb Luz were born Practicing authentic Christian living by choosing peace over pressure in your daily choices   Connect and Community: Grab My Book on Amazon: Order your copy of Journeying with Jesus to go deeper in your walk with God: https://www.amazon.com Join Deeply Devoted: Come grow closer to Jesus with us in our free Bible study group chat: https://bit.ly/DeeplyDevotedBIBLEstudy Follow Me on Instagram: Let's stay connected for daily encouragement: @petiaburns   Meet Little Lamb Luz  Journeying with Jesus | Little Hearts is a new faith-filled project created for little hearts with big questions.  Follow Luz on Instagram: Journeying with Jesus | Little Hearts    Help Bring Luz to Life  If you feel led to support the creation of Little Hearts, the books, animations, and future resources, you can support the project here:  Support Journeying with Jesus | Little Hearts on Ko-fi  Every contribution helps bring this vision to life and create more faith-filled resources for children and families.  “You don’t have to see the whole path. You just have to trust God enough to take the next step.” 

What if the way God is using your life reaches far beyond what you can see in this season? Sometimes we think our purpose has to look big, visible, or extraordinary. We search for a platform or a grand assignment, but part of your purpose may already be unfolding right inside your own home. Your transformed life is often telling people about Jesus long before you ever find the perfect words.   This episode is especially for you if you are walking with Christ but have family members who do not know Him yet. Maybe you have prayed for them, tried to talk about your faith, or wondered if your obedience is making any difference. I share an honest conversation about God’s purpose, divine appointments, and the ripple effect one surrendered life can have. This message offers gentle Christian encouragement for every woman of faith seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God. Your assignment is not to force someone's faith, but to follow Jesus, pray for your loved ones, and trust the Holy Spirit. In this episode, we discuss: How God uses your ordinary life and divine appointments for an eternal purpose Why your personal transformation becomes a powerful testimony to those closest to you Biblical encouragement for women when praying for family members who do not know Jesus The difference between trying to change someone and allowing God to work through you Why practicing authentic Christian living creates a ripple effect in your home over time How hearing God's voice helps you surrender the people you love back into His hands   IF SOMEONE YOU LOVE DOESN’T KNOW JESUS  You don’t have to carry the responsibility for their salvation.  You don’t have to manufacture the perfect conversation.  And you don’t have to force open a door God hasn’t asked you to open.  Keep walking with Jesus. Keep becoming more like Him. Keep loving. Keep praying. Keep listening when God prompts you to speak.  And trust that the same God who pursued your heart knows exactly how to pursue theirs.  Your life might be part of someone’s journey to Jesus in ways you won’t understand until much later.    THE HEART OF THIS EPISODE  God didn’t save you only to change your destination. He is transforming your life so His love, truth, grace, and goodness can flow through you to other people.  Your family. Your children. Your friendships. Your community. Even the person who seems the furthest from Him.  You don’t have to know how the entire story ends. You simply get to faithfully live the part God has entrusted to you.    Never underestimate what God can do through one life completely surrendered to Him.    SHARE THIS EPISODE  If someone came to mind while you were listening, send this episode to them.  And if you’re praying for someone you love who doesn’t know Jesus yet, I hope this reminds you that God is working in ways you may not be able to see.  Take a screenshot while you’re listening and tag @petiaburns on Instagram so I can connect with you.

What if the patterns you grew up with were never meant to become the patterns you pass down? In this episode, I share what motherhood, family relationships, and some recent difficult conversations have been teaching me about identity, boundaries, and breaking generational cycles. Sometimes our earthly families are beautiful, and sometimes they are complicated. Loving people well often requires forgiveness, honest conversations, and firmer boundaries. No matter what your relationship with your family looks like, there is one constant truth to hold onto: you belong to God. Your Heavenly Father knows your name, counts every hair on your head, and loves you with an unchanging love. This conversation offers sweet Christian encouragement for every woman of faith seeking true spiritual growth for women, practice authentic Christian living, and learn how to grow closer to God. You may not have chosen what was handed down to you, but with God, you can choose what continues through you. In this episode, we discuss: Why remembering whose you are completely changes your heart posture How motherhood reveals generational patterns that need to end with you How hearing God's voice helps us break cycles of fear, hurt, and unhealthy family dynamics How to love and honor family while still establishing healthy boundaries Why your identity is determined by Christ rather than your past or family history How biblical encouragement for women helps us choose a different legacy for future generations   You may not have been able to choose everything that was handed down to you.  But with God, you can choose what continues through you.  You can forgive.  You can heal.  You can learn a different way.  And you can build something new for the generations coming after you.  Above all, remember this:  You are a daughter of the King. You are deeply loved. And you belong to Him. 🤍    Get Journeying with Jesus  If you’re exploring faith, wrestling with questions about Christianity, or simply longing to know Jesus more deeply, my book Journeying with Jesus: Questions I Had Before I Believed was written for you.  Get Journeying with Jesus on Amazon    Join My Free Bible Study Community  If you’re longing for a community of women who want to study Scripture, ask honest questions, encourage one another, and grow closer to Jesus, I would love to welcome you into Deeply Devoted, my free Bible study community on Telegram.  Join Deeply Devoted on Telegram    If this episode encouraged you, please send it to a woman who needs to be reminded of whose she is today.  And if you have a few extra moments, follow Made for Impact and leave an honest review. Every share and review helps more women discover biblical encouragement and draw closer to Jesus.    Thank you for being here. 🤍 

What do you do when your flesh wants something that you know is not good for you?   In this episode, I am sharing a real, unedited morning from our home after an exhausting night with our almost seven-month-old, Samuel. I was tired, my husband was frustrated, the kids were up early, and there was peanut butter everywhere! Underneath all of it was something much deeper: the daily battle between what our flesh desires in the moment and what we know God is asking of us. For my husband, one of those struggles has been caffeine. Not because coffee itself is automatically sinful, but because he knows his own patterns and triggers. Following Jesus does not mean we suddenly stop having those desires; sometimes it means feeling them and choosing obedience anyway. This conversation offers practical Christian encouragement for every woman of faith seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God through surrendering everyday habits. In this episode, we discuss: The very real daily battle between our flesh and the Spirit Why something harmless for another person may not be wise for you How hearing God's voice helps us recognize personal triggers and patterns Why practicing authentic Christian living requires denying what feels good in the moment What the fruit of the Spirit reveals about the direction we are walking How to bring your struggles honestly before God instead of hiding them Why remembering whose you are makes sacrifice and surrender part of daily discipleship     Scriptures to Reflect On  Galatians 5:16–25  Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with walking in the Spirit and gives us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  1 Corinthians 6:19–20  A powerful reminder that our bodies belong to God. We are not our own. We were bought at a price, and we are called to glorify God with our bodies.  Romans 12:1–2  Paul calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God rather than allowing ourselves to be conformed to the patterns of this world.  Luke 9:23  Jesus teaches that following Him involves denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following Him.  James 4:7–8  Submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Romans 13:14  “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (NKJV)  Sometimes victory is not about proving how close you can get to temptation without falling. Sometimes wisdom means not making provision for it in the first place.    Reflect With Me  What fleshly desire have I been struggling with lately?  Is there something I keep telling myself is “not a big deal,” even though I know where it tends to lead me?  What fruit is this producing in my life? Is it leading toward love, joy, peace and self-control, or away from them?  What might God be asking me to surrender even though my flesh does not want to?  Instead of asking, “Can I have this?” what would change if I asked, “Will this bring me closer to God or further away from Him?”  Then bring the honest answer to your Father. You do not have to make the prayer polished. Tell Him the truth.  Father, I’m struggling. Help me desire what You desire. Give me the strength to surrender what is pulling me away from You and teach me to walk by Your Spirit.     

Sometimes the most humbling lessons with God happen right in the middle of ordinary life. In this episode, I share a personal experience where a good intention unintentionally hurt a friend. What followed was a powerful lesson in slowing down, hearing God's voice, taking full responsibility, and asking for forgiveness. God used that moment to remind me of Jesus' words about removing the plank from our own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else's. This conversation offers gentle Christian encouragement for every woman of faith seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God. It is an invitation to examine our hearts, extend grace, and practice authentic Christian living by remembering that we rarely know the full story behind someone else's choices.   In this episode, we discuss: Why judging others is easy when we do not know their circumstances, and what Jesus teaches about the plank in our own eye How listening when the Holy Spirit nudges you to slow down helps you humble yourself, ask for forgiveness, and learn from mistakes Why spiritual growth is not about becoming perfect, but becoming more teachable as Scripture comes alive in your daily walk   Scriptures Mentioned  Matthew 7:3–5  Jesus teaches us to first examine the plank in our own eye before focusing on the speck in someone else’s.  Matthew 18:21–22  Jesus reminds Peter that forgiveness is not something we extend only once. We are called to continue choosing forgiveness.    Reflect With Me  Where might you be judging someone without knowing the full story?  Has the Holy Spirit been nudging you to slow down, apologize, forgive, or change something?  Is there an area where God may be inviting you to look at your own heart before looking at someone else’s behavior?  What Scripture has recently felt like it suddenly came alive in your own everyday life?    Your Invitation  If you are longing to know Jesus more deeply and experience how His Word applies to your real, everyday life, grab your copy of Journeying with Jesus on Amazon.  Inside, you’ll walk through 12 journeys filled with biblical truth, reflection questions, and declarations designed to help you draw closer to God and remember that you are never walking alone.    Get Journeying with Jesus on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bfcn8xK You can also join the Deeply Devoted Bible Study community and journey alongside other Christian women who desire a deeper relationship with God.    Join Deeply Devoted: Telegram: Join Group Chat If this episode encouraged you, send it to a woman who might need this reminder today, subscribe to Made for Impact, and leave a review so more women can find the show.    Until next time, stay blessed. 🤍   

How do you surround yourself with wise, godly people without allowing their voices to become louder than God’s? In this episode, I share a powerful experience from a recent women’s Bible study where one woman courageously opened up about struggling again with alcohol and feeling distant from God. Instead of judgment, she was met with prayer, compassion, and authentic community. It was a beautiful reminder that we were never meant to walk out our faith alone. While wise counsel can support our journey, it can never replace hearing God's voice for ourselves. I reflect on my own past of searching for belonging, placing too much weight on relationships, and seeking validation in the wrong places. I also share how this exact lesson is showing up in real time as my family prays through major life decisions about where God is leading us next. This conversation offers practical Christian encouragement for every woman of faith who is seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God. In this episode, we discuss: Why safe Christian community creates space for honesty instead of shame The crucial difference between wise counsel and blindly following people How practicing real Christian living allows your vulnerability to become part of someone else’s breakthrough Why judging others keeps us from examining our own hearts and receiving biblical encouragement for women Why your testimony does not have to be polished to be powerful How to recognize whose voices are influencing your daily decisions How to receive counsel from godly friends while continuing to put God first   Scriptures to reflect on  Matthew 7:3–5  Jesus teaches us to examine the plank in our own eye before focusing on the speck in someone else’s.  Proverbs 11:14  There is safety in a multitude of counselors.  Proverbs 15:22  Plans are strengthened through wise counsel.  John 10:27  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  Hebrews 10:24–25  A reminder not to neglect gathering together, but to encourage one another in faith.    Reflection for this week  Who am I following?  Look honestly at the voices influencing your life right now. Friends. Family. Mentors. Social media. Podcasts. Culture.  Are they helping you draw closer to God, or have any of those voices quietly become louder than His?  Then ask yourself one more question:  Where is God inviting me to be more vulnerable so my story can encourage someone else?  You never know who needs the testimony you almost decided not to share.    Join the Deeply Devoted Bible Study  Looking for a small community of like-minded sisters in Christ where we can learn Scripture, grow together, and honestly share what God is doing in our lives?  Join Petia’s free Deeply Devoted Bible Study community on Telegram:  Join the Deeply Devoted Telegram community  Instagram: @PetiaBurns  Subscribe to Made for Impact so we can continue learning how to hear God’s voice, trust His leading, and faithfully walk in what He is calling us to. 

Can Christians desire abundance, or is that worldly? Before I knew Jesus, financial success was my security blanket, but after surrendering my life to Christ, God taught me that He alone is my provider and treasure. We are diving into what Scripture says about wealth, stewardship, and keeping our hearts guarded. This conversation offers Christian encouragement for any woman of faith learning how to grow closer to God, embrace spiritual growth for women, and practice authentic Christian living while navigating business goals. In this episode, we discuss: - Why financial success became an idol in my life before knowing Jesus - The transformation from trusting money to trusting God as my sole security - Why the Bible does not condemn wealth, but warns against the love of money - Biblical examples of faithful men and women whom God entrusted with abundance - How hearing God's voice helps us steward seasons of plenty and lack with open hands - Why our identity, peace, and security must always remain rooted in Christ alone   Scriptures mentioned:  Genesis 1–2  Genesis 13:2  Job 42:10–17  1 Kings 3:13  Acts 16:14–15  Matthew 27:57–60  Matthew 25:14–30  1 Timothy 6:10  1 Timothy 6:17  Deuteronomy 8:18    Join our free Deeply Devoted Bible Study  If you're longing to know Jesus more deeply, hear God's voice through His Word, and study the Bible alongside women from around the world, I'd love to invite you into Deeply Devoted, my free Bible study community on Telegram.    Inside, we read Scripture together, ask honest questions, encourage one another, and grow in our relationship with Jesus.    Join here:  https://t.me/+tN3mzu6qX3JiYTIx    Get your copy of Journeying with Jesus  If you're exploring faith, wrestling with questions, or simply longing to know Jesus more deeply, my book, Journeying with Jesus: Questions I Had Before I Believed, was written for you.    Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g0cRhR    If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone you love? Every review helps more people discover the hope, peace, and truth found in Jesus.    Thank you for being here. I'm so grateful you're part of the Made for Impact community, and I'll see you in the next episode. 

What if the question you are afraid to ask is the exact one that leads you closer to Jesus? In this personal episode, I am sharing the heart and story behind my first book, Journeying with Jesus. This is not a list of practical steps, but the story of how one honest question completely changed the direction of my life. From the outside, my life looked successful. I had built a thriving business, hosted international retreats, and achieved many of the goals I dreamed about. Yet deep inside, my soul was hungry for something this world could never satisfy. As I watched my husband grow more loving, patient, and fulfilled through his walk with God, one question kept resurfacing in my heart: "What if Jesus really is who He says He is?" That question led me on a journey of searching Scripture, learning how to grow closer to God, and ultimately discovering that Jesus is never intimidated by our doubts. This message offers powerful Christian encouragement for any woman of faith who is seeking spiritual growth for women and looking to experience true Christian living. In this episode, we talk about:  Why outward success can never satisfy the hunger of the soul How God gently draws us to Himself long before we recognize His voice The exact question that completely changed my life and identity What I searched for when I began exploring biblical encouragement for women Why Jesus welcomes honest questions instead of rejecting sincere seekers How hearing God's voice through my search inspired me to write my book   Scriptures Mentioned  Matthew 7:7–8  Jeremiah 29:13  John 14:6  James 1:5    Resources  Journeying with Jesus: Questions I Had Before I Believed  If you've ever had questions about Christianity but didn't know who to ask, this book was written for you.  Deeply Devoted Bible Study  Every Thursday, women from around the world gather online to study God's Word together.  https://bit.ly/DeeplyDevotedBIBLEstudy    Let's Stay Connected  Instagram: @petiaburns  Podcast Instagram: @madeforimpact_podcast  Website: https://petiaburns.com    If this episode encouraged you…  Would you take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend? You never know who might be one honest question away from encountering Jesus. 

Have you ever sat down with the best intentions to be productive, only to have your plans completely interrupted? In this episode, I share a deeply personal moment from my morning that completely shifted my perspective. As I sat in my office thanking God for the blessing of working from home and witnessing my children's daily milestones, everything changed when my daughter hurt herself and needed my comfort. What initially felt like another delay became a powerful reminder that our first ministry always begins right inside our own homes. This message offers real Christian encouragement for every woman of faith who feels torn between productivity and peace. If you are learning how to grow closer to God in the middle of a busy season, remember that He often shapes our hearts through the exact moments we did not plan. True Christian living and spiritual growth for women happen when we realize that faithfulness in the ordinary daily details is never wasted.   Inside This Episode, You Will Discover: Why daily interruptions are not obstacles, but divine invitations for hearing God's voice How gratitude shifts our posture and brings biblical encouragement for women in seasons of uncertainty What it truly means to nurture the first ministry God has entrusted to you at home Gentle reassurance for women who feel behind, overwhelmed, or discouraged in their calling How God works on expanding our hearts before He ever expands our influence   Reflection Question: What if the very thing slowing you down today is actually the assignment God is using to shape your heart?   Key Takeaway  Sometimes the interruption is the assignment. God isn't only interested in what we accomplish for Him—He's forming who we become with Him.    Scripture to Reflect On  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...” — Colossians 3:23  “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...” — Matthew 6:33    Connect  If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that faithfulness matters more than perfection.    Join our free Deeply Devoted Bible Study community: https://bit.ly/DeeplyDevotedBIBLEstudy 

✨ Join My Free Deeply Devoted Bible Study  If you're longing to know Jesus more deeply, hear His voice with confidence, and study Scripture alongside other women, I'd love to welcome you to our free Deeply Devoted Bible Study community on Telegram.   Have you ever felt guilty because your quiet time with God lasted only a few minutes? I am sharing how God met me in just a few interrupted minutes while caring for my children and how those same small moments also helped me finish writing my first book. You will be encouraged to stop striving for the perfect quiet time and discover that Jesus faithfully meets us in ordinary, surrendered moments. This message offers real Christian encouragement for women of faith who are balancing a busy lifestyle. True Christian living is not about perfect performance, it is about learning how to grow closer to God right where you are. When we keep showing up, we experience deep spiritual growth for women, and hearing God's voice becomes so much easier. In This Episode Why five minutes with Jesus is never wasted when seeking biblical encouragement for women How motherhood has changed what daily time with God looks like for me What finishing a book in tiny pockets of time taught me about small faithfulness Why Jesus desires an authentic relationship over a perfect performance How small acts of obedience become a beautifully transformed life   Key Scriptures  Matthew 13:31–32 (The mustard seed)  Luke 10:38–42 (Mary and Martha)  James 4:8 (Draw near to God...)  Psalm 46:10 (Be still and know that I am God)    Reflection Question What would happen if, instead of waiting until you had an hour, you simply gave Jesus the next five minutes?  Connect with Me: Instagram: @madeforimpact_podcast   Coming Soon: Journeying with Jesus: Questions I Had Before I Believed, my upcoming book for seekers and new believers, sharing my personal journey from New Age spirituality to following Christ.